How Do You Know that Your Chimney Needs Repair? The Top 5.
It’s challenging to determine if the chimney has problems because its height makes it difficult to observe or see everything clearly, and it’s hard to know what to look for or how often to check. We’ve developed a few important signs to check in order to know if your chimney needs repair. Let’s take a […]
The Chimney Cap Blew Off! What Do I Do?
As we have all experienced in the suburbs of Chicagoland, wind can cause a lot of damage with branches from trees falling on the roof and all over the yard to finding roofing shingles and flashing on the driveway and in the yard as well. As these are cause for concern, the chimney cap blowing […]
Chimney Safety Check. Spotting Problems Before It Becomes Serious and Expensive.
We’re already into February, and even though the temperatures are still cold and snow continues to fall, this is the right time to be thinking about your fireplace and chimney. Each year, as the temperatures begin to warm up, that’s when homeowners start to make their chimney Spring sweeping appointments. By calling and scheduling your […]
Effects of the Winter Freeze Thaw Cycle on the Chimney Masonry
What are the effects of the winter freeze thaw cycle on the chimney masonry the Chicagoland area? While you’re enjoying the warmth of a crackling fire, snow, rain, and ice are accumulating on the brick exterior of your chimney. Throughout winter, temperatures often fluctuate above and below the freezing mark. When the temperature drops below […]
Can You Keep Your Fireplace Closed This Summer?
You may have heard from friends or family about keeping your fireplace open during the summer, so long as you have a chimney cap to keep the debris and animals out. Keeping the fireplace open all summer is known as “airing out” the fireplace. It makes sense, keep the stale air out and let fresh […]
What’s “Bugging” You This Summer?
Let’s face it, chimney tuckpointing isn’t at the top of your mind this summer. Spring cleaning is over, it’s time for a vacation. Maybe spending time at Lake Michigan or the pool took over your to-do list! But, have you noticed some familiar critters falling from the trees (and into your pool…) all over the […]
What To Do About a Chimney Leak?!
A chimney can be an obvious place where a chimney leak can occur. The chimney extends to the sky, many times as the highest point of your home. Not to mention, there’s a hole at the top that needs to be covered, and cement and bricks that are porous! It’s pretty obvious that chimney leaks […]
Wind Storms and the Chimney: With or Without Rain
Wind storms and the chimney: it’s not a pair made in paradise. The wind storms that we’ve had lately in the Chicagoland area have been challenging. Not only has debris from the trees been thick all over the grass and driveway, but has also blown off roofing materials, gutters and of course some things associated […]
Chimney Repair: Fact or Fiction
Winter is coming to an end in the Chicago area, which so happens to be the best time to schedule for a chimney repair. In this blog, we will play a game of Fact or Fiction! We will ask you a question about one type of chimney inspection. Before you read on to the answer, […]
Chasing Out the Fireplace Smell
Fireplace smell can be an easily fixable problem in the home. Recently, I was at a dinner party with some friends, and upon entering their beautiful home, came an unpleasant smell. It was musty and smelled like a campfire. I remember it being a humid evening in Illinois, (certainly not uncommon), and unfortunately my friends […]
